DIY DIY Peltier Res Cooler

[TxOld Dude]

Start time: 13:30
Temp: 77.3

Testing is now under way with the full RDWC system of res and two modified PowerGrow bubbler buckets. Water levels are stable in the buckets and res so the drain lines are large enough.

Temperature results later...

:Hookah:

 

[ljufmennid]

Looking good, was thinking about having a heat sink for a computer cooling system on the out side on my grow cabinet and then pump the res water through and back into dwc tote, so wanna see how this playes out for you, would it not be better to have the fan blow in from the side of the heat sink and blow the heat away?

Is it blowing on it or sucking ?

 

[TxOld Dude]

Time: 18:00
Temp: 72.3F

Pulling. And that's not "just" a heatsink. There's a peltier TEC device under it (look at page 3). Watch the video. This just an implementation of his system with a smaller res. Looks like he used a 48 quart coleman or igloo cooler and it kept his at 53F (I think...). I'm only running about 9-10 gallons. This particular peltier is a bit weak, I'll change it later, but it got my res down to 62F in the first test.

 

[ljufmennid]

yeah I saw the peltier under, was not sure if I missed something yesterday because i was using the smart phone app (pain)

but I really like this idea TxOld Dude and your :Cool bud: design and clean finish !

going to be watching you closely because for the first time in YEARS I have to have the res. inside the cabinet I am growing in so I am very likely going to be doing something like this, wondering if I can incorporate this into my dwc tote because I will be running two totes with different nutrition levels

 

[TxOld Dude]

To incorporate it into a tote would be easy if you have the space. I popped your thread and saw your setup. No problem to add one in each tote. Assume 8-10 amps 12vdc power for each peltier unit.

Are you in Canada (def not the states!), or across the pond?

The pre-assembled device, the manifolds (water blocks), mounting kit, and extra peltiers all came from China, but came very quickly. Some in only 3-4 days! This setup uses 40mm peltiers and water blocks. The temp controllers you chose will need a minimum 10 amp relay capacity to run the peltier which draws 6 amps by itself. I looked at Amazon UK and they have all the same goodies (same type as mine). They have both 12vdc and 220vac powered varieties and they all come with a sensor.

Now the choice is how you want to do it; one controller per tote or one controlling both. 12vdc powered and a 12vdc power supply (which you will need anyway, no matter what) or 220vac powered AND the 12vdc power supply. For the power supply, you can repurpose an old PC supply, but you MUST verify the 12v rail has the current capacity to run the system. Some units are heavy in the +5vdc and light in the +12vdc side. I'm going to do this as well because the supply I bought has been known to catch fire when it fails. Also, I can get 4-pin molex "pigtails" to attach to all the devices so hook-up and disconnect are easy.

Pre-assembled peltier on Amazon UK

 

[TxOld Dude]

Oops! Forgot something...

Time: 08:00
Temp: 68.3F

Looking good! It'll look better once I change out the peltier.

Phase 2 test complete!

Time to make it happen Cap'n!

 

[ljufmennid]

awesome to hear everything i going good!

yeah I am from some were across the pound but prefer not to say were but those are some great tips, thinking about sending a copy of this post and some sketches to a electronic engineer friend of mine that loves making stuff like this, have to share his photo album one day, even though he does not smoke and does nothing cannabis related it is still some amazingly cool stuff, he put up motion sensor light system through the walk paths in the forest behind his house powered by wind and then water from a water spring, it has been running with out a problem for 5 years, its amazing because as you start walking down the path the lights will get brighter as you get near them and dim behind you

he is one smart kid

Thinking about making a controller box for two peltiers with two on/off switches and temp. controllers OR just a water cooled radiator that I pump the res. through like so and a temp. controller for max and min temp shut off

got couple of options and going for the least "burn my house down" one

 

[ljufmennid]

Oops! Forgot something...

Time: 08:00
Temp: 68.3F

Looking good! It'll look better once I change out the peltier.

Phase 2 test complete!

Time to make it happen Cap'n!

Any updates coming ?

 

[TxOld Dude]

Nope, not here! It worked great! Actually, once hooked up to the system with 9-10 gallons of water, it got down to 58F and stayed there. The implementation was in my Stone Dragon thread which mysteriously disappeared from the Dragon med section (won't name no names! LOL!). I'll have to put it back shortly. Im using 3/8 to 1/4" feed lines and 1/2" returns. Pressure feeds and gravity return (no pump) on 2 modded DWC bubbler buckets (previous pics).

 

[Feenix]

Time: 18:00
Temp: 72.3F

Pulling. And that's not "just" a heatsink. There's a peltier TEC device under it (look at page 3). Watch the video. This just an implementation of his system with a smaller res. Looks like he used a 48 quart coleman or igloo cooler and it kept his at 53F (I think...). I'm only running about 9-10 gallons. This particular peltier is a bit weak, I'll change it later, but it got my res down to 62F in the first test.

Hey Tx, How do you like that temp control unit? Did the instructions drive you nuts at first?